Ben Pifher/MDN Trevor Reed, a lieutenant in the Salvation Army, is shown at the Minot Salvation Army Church.

The Minot Salvation Army raised 83.5% of its goal of $70,000 during the 2024 Red Kettle Campaign, bringing in $58,840.71, according to Trevor Reed, one of the two lieutenants who lead the Salvation Army’s local church.

The donations were gathered from eight locations around Minot over the Christmas season, and online donations are still being counted, Reed said.

Reed noted the campaign’s successes and said he hopes to meet the goal next year by spreading information about the Red Kettle Campaign earlier in the season. Volunteers are always needed, he said in November and again Friday.

The Red Kettle Campaign is the Salvation Army’s main fundraiser for the year, covering its operating expenses for the year, as well as providing the means for the organization to help those in need. Though the fundraiser is over, Reed said the church accepts donations all year.

In December, the Salvation Army also hosted an event at which it invited people who otherwise couldn’t provide gifts for their families to get toys and clothes for their loved ones. Each family also was given a food basket, an unexpected and welcomed present.

“It was such a blessing to be able to help provide families a good Christmas,” said Reed.

Though the famous red kettles have been put away for the year, people can help all year through assistance with the food pantry run by the church. He said non-perishable goods are always welcomed.

The money raised during the Christmas season goes toward rent assistance for those in need, Reed said.

“The money helps to ensure people have their needs met,” he said.

This isn’t the only function of the church, which also provides emergency assistance during crises with its Emergency Disaster Services truck. This truck serves as a mobile canteen, Reed explained, and has the capability to provide food and hot drinks to groups of people when called upon.

Reed also hopes to start a local Pathway to Hope program, part of a larger Salvation Army project. He explained the program as a long term strategic goal. He said the program is meant to help those seeking support to set goals for themselves, and meet them. These goals may vary, he said, from things such as job interview preparation to transportation to jobs they already have.

Though the goal was not met for this last campaign, Reed said 83.5% is an awesome number.

“Whatever happens this next year, God is going to help take care of it, and we trust that God is going to move in the community to help make that happen,” he said.